Questions · Richard Baker

9 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been injured as a result of (a) alcohol and (b) other substance abuse in the NHS Grampian area in each of the last four years.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Patients who have been injured as a result of alcohol or other substance abuse could be treated in a variety of settings such as the home, general practices, outpatients, accident and emergency departments and inpatient admission to hospital. It is not possi…

28 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which minister commissioned the publication of its Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin and on what date and at what time.

Answer · John Swinney: The bulletin was commissioned by the First Minister on 31 January 2013.

28 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will "publish a timetable of statistical releases for twelve months ahead" for its Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin in line with Protocol 2 of the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16197 on 30 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

28 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its next Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin.

Answer · John Swinney: The Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin, which was published on 11 March 2013 states that “This is the first in a series of bulletins summarising recent trends in the Scottish oil and gas industry. Further updates will be published in due course.”

28 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the contents of its Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin are compliant with the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice and whether the bulletin therefore meets the standard of national statistics and what the reasons are for its position on this matt…

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16197 on 30 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

28 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of which (a) principles and (b) protocols of the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice its Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin does not meet.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-16197 on 30 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybu…

28 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it intends to make future editions of its Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin national statistics compliant and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · John Swinney: The Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin provides additional topical analysis of data already published. It is produced by analysts in the Scottish Government to high professional standards and is subject to a rigorous quality assurance process.

25 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Audit Scotland's statement in its report, Scotland's key transport infrastructure projects, that "There are significant risks to Transport Scotland in securing the procurement of the M8 bundle and AWPR/B-T projects using NPD finance at an affordable price."

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is confident that both projects will be delivered within affordability limits. The current estimates and mitigation measures take account of known risks.

25 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Parliament on progress on securing the funding package for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.

Answer · Keith Brown: A full update will be provided at the conclusion of the financial close of the project which is planned for Autumn 2014.

25 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it expects the unit charges will be for the non-profit distribution contract for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.

Answer · Keith Brown: Whilst the competitive dialogue for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Balmedie to Tipperty scheme is underway, this information is commercially sensitive. The current estimate is affordable within the scope of Scottish Government spending plans.

25 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will complete a new project execution plan for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project.

Answer · Keith Brown: The project execution plan is complete.

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14385 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, how many (a) sailings, (b) foot passenger journeys and (c) road freight journeys have been lost to date on the Scrabster to Stromness route as a result of the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe.

Answer · Keith Brown: As a result of the serious mechanical breakdown suffered by the vessel, the MV Hamnavoe missed 59 return sailings between 26 April and 22 May 2013. However, from 2 May 2013 until the Hamnavoe returned to service, the freight vessel the MV Helliar was brought…

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14385 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, whether the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe will lead to an increase in the cost of the 2012-18 Northern Isles contract and, if so, how much.

Answer · Keith Brown: The full extent of the costs of the Northern Isles ferry services contract in the current contract year will only be finalised when the end year reconciliation takes place later this summer. The detailed compensation mechanism in the Northern Isles contract …

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14385 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, who will carry out the report on the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe and when it will (a) receive and (b) publish the (i) report and (ii) operator’s response.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Transport Scotland officials to prepare a report on the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe. That report is currently being drafted. The report will include an assessment of the operator’s response to the breakdown. Once the report has been produced I w…

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, how much Transport Scotland will spend in each of the next five years on infrastructure to support the Northern Isles services.

Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland does not have responsibility for maintaining the ports and harbour infrastructure that support the Northern Isles ferry services. That responsibility lies with the individual ports and harbours.

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, when it became aware that Serco was applying to join the tonnage tax scheme and what role it played in the company’s discussions with the UK Government regarding this.

Answer · Keith Brown: Serco NorthLink advised of their intention to seek election into the tonnage tax regime during the tender process for the Northern Isles ferry services contract. The Scottish Government had no role in the process.

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what formula is used to calculate extra public subsidy for additional annual fuel costs for the 2012-18 contract.

Answer · Keith Brown: The fuel cost element of the annual subsidy will be the actual cost of the fuel used.

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what the revised annual subsidy is for the remainder of the 2012-18 contract, broken down by (a) vessel leasing, (b) chartering and (c) maintenance costs.

Answer · Keith Brown: While the overall cost of the Northern Isles ferry services contract has already been announced, the Scottish Government does not provide a further breakdown of the various elements of our ferry service contract costs. In addition, the costs of leasing and c…

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, what maximum additional public subsidy Serco can receive to help meet increases in fuel costs in each year of the 2012-18 contract.

Answer · Keith Brown: Under the terms of the Northern Isles ferry services contract, any rise in the cost of marine fuel falls to the Scottish Government. No maximum sum is set down for this in the Northern Isles ferry services contract.

14 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14388 by Keith Brown on 8 May 2013, how many training roles for (a) officer cadets and (b) ratings on the services will be established because of Serco’s election to the tonnage tax scheme.

Answer · Keith Brown: Following Serco NorthLink’s election into the tonnage tax regime, they will take on four Officer cadets per year. Currently they have four Officer cadets (three deck and one engine) and this number will be added to by a further four from October 2013, and aga…